The Commission elaborated a multi-year programme of work for the first time in 1987 (ECOSOC resolution 1987/24 of 26 May 1987).
In 1996, following the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a multi-year programme of work was adopted for the period 1997-2000 (ECOSOC resolution 1996/6).
Subsequent work programmes were adopted in 2001 (ECOSOC resolution 2001/4) and most recently in 2006 (ECOSOC resolution 2006/9), and most recently in 2009 (ECOSOC resolution 2009/15). Priority themes on the Commission’s agenda for the period 2010-2014 are:
• 2010 – Review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the outcomes of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly and its contribution to shaping a gender perspective towards the full realization of the Millennium Development Goals
2011 Access and participation of women and girls to education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work
2012 The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges
2013 Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls
2014 Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls